The
following are extracts from the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua’s
lecture on the Avatamsaka Sutra:

“The
merit and virtue derived from bowing in repentance before the
Ten Thousand Buddhas can never be fully expressed. Bowing in
repentance can nurture people’s roots in the Dharma. Bowing in
repentance can help people who have never done any spiritual
practice learn how to practice, and it can help people without
good roots to develop them. When our good roots are fully
developed, we will become enlightened. Therefore, the merit and
virtue of bowing in the Repentance Ceremony before the Ten
Thousand Buddhas is inconceivable…

…The
power of this Repentance is inconceivable, because the ten
thousand Buddhas all come to support you…

The
Buddhas of the past bowed the Repentance before Ten Thousand
Buddhas, the Buddhas of the present bow it, and the Buddhas of
the future will be brought to accomplishment through bowing this
Repentance. The Venerable Master Hsu Yun himself bowed this
repentance in the past…

Offenses
large enough to fill the skies
Are eradicated with a single thought of repentance.

If
you can repent and reform, your offenses will be dispelled and
your good roots will increase.”